Nine wreaths were stolen, flowers in the surrounding flower beds were ripped up and the European Union flag was torn down and discovered lying elsewhere in the park.

The memorial, which remembers the deaths of German soldiers along with the Allies in the Great War, was unveiled almost two years ago. It also remembers the British Expeditionary Force, the French and Belgians as well as the Germans.

The memorial sits beside a peace tree which is still there after being planted on Empire Day in 1919 following the war.

"I am disgusted and appalled at the violation and vandalism of this beautiful war memorial," said North Belfast DUP MLA William Humphrey.